The programme targets women aged between 18 and 24, where almost two-thirds of individuals in this age group are not economically active, with over 70% female.

LeadHERship says it will provide these women with work experience, skills and a monthly income to enhance their employability.

Since the programme kicked off in February 2022, 109 women have been placed into non-profit organisations for a 12-month programme. Cohort two is set to commence in April, with an additional 50 women participating in the programme.

The initiative adds that it has already made a promising start, with 35 women who have secured full-time employment even before the end of the programme. In contrast, many others have secured fixed-term and freelance contracts.

"This is a phenomenal result so quickly after their graduation, and we couldn't be more excited for the future of these young women," says Pizza Hut MD Ewan Davenport.

One graduate, Lindiwe, says she couldn't be more grateful for the programme. Having been mentored by a senior leader at Pizza Hut, she has since secured a placement at an Intellectual Property law firm as a legal administrative assistant.

"My goals and dreams are to impact society profoundly, and I now feel so much closer to achieving this," Lindiwe adds.

According to the duo, the LeadHERship initiative has placed these young women in diverse industries within non-profit organisations, such as:
  • health services with Youth Health for Africa, which will see young women work in clinics, hospitals and communities
  • creative entrepreneurial collectives with YCC (Youth Content Collective), which helps turn young black creatives into micro-entrepreneurs
  • literacy programmes with Click Learning, which deploys online English literacy programmes in underprivileged primary schools across South Africa, and
  • Youth@work, which provides experience across the arts, entertainment, recreation and education sectors.

Odwa, who secured full-time employment with Click Learning, described the initiative as a dream come true.

"I have regained my self-esteem. When you are sending out CVs every day and not getting any reply, your confidence and energy take a knock," Odwa concludes.

The LeadHERship initiative aligns with Pizza Hut's global social purpose framework, 'An Equal Slice for Everyone', which seeks to promote equality and a world where everyone has a seat at the table.

To celebrate the graduation of the first cohort, Pizza Hut collaborated with 10 of the young women from the programme to showcase the empowerment that comes with receiving their first paycheck. An interactive 3D gallery featuring these moments of empowerment can be accessed by scanning a QR code on the programme's website.

For more information, visit www.pizzahutleadhership.com. You can also follow LeadHERship on Facebook.